SelectScience
Join Free
Accelerating Science
NewsLife Sciences

Life Technologies Launches Highly Efficient Stem Cell Reprogramming Technology

Thermo Fisher Scientific
14 Jun 2011
bridget bridget
Laboratory Director

Product news

Life Technologies Corporation today announced the launch of CytoTune™-iPS Reprogramming Kit -- research technology that provides far improved efficiency over standard methods to develop induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from human somatic cells. The ability to more easily create larger numbers of these embryonic stem cell-like cells can expedite basic research and studies that target specific diseases.

Widely accepted methods for turning adult skin cells, for example, into iPSCs involve benign virus vectors that are used to deliver reprogramming genes. The process, however, is woefully inefficient (reprogramming efficiency rates for standard methods range between 0.00001-0.01 percent) and runs the risk of leading to unwanted mutations since the vectors must insert themselves into the host cell's DNA — essentially altering the genome and leaving "footprints."

The CytoTune™-iPS Reprogramming Kit is based on zero-footprint technology that employs an RNA virus developed by the Japanese firm DNAVEC Corporation. The benign vectors effectively do their job without DNA integration and can generate iPSCs with about 1 percent efficiency.

"This technology is the most successful method my lab has used to generate iPSCs," said Keiichi Fukuda, Ph.D., M.D. Professor and Chief, Department of Cardiology, and Vice Dean at the Keio University School of Medicine, whose research team demonstrated the effectiveness of CytoTune's RNA vector in a study published in the journal Cell Stem Cell. "Considering the high efficiency of iPSC generation and absence of integration of the vectors into the host genome, this method is definitely the most powerful tool available for transgene-free iPSC induction and will have an enormous impact on the future direction of many fields utilizing iPSCs."

Efficient development of footprint-free iPSCs provides highly sought-after advantages for the basic research field. Scientists who test existing or novel drugs in the hopes of treating specific diseases will now have quicker access to patient-derived cells that are physiologically accurate because they won't contain mutations that could be introduced during reprogramming. The use of iPSCs as disease models was the subject of a study on Schizophrenia published April 14, 2011 in the journal Nature and of other recent studies.

The expediency of the kit's technology will also enable scientists to accelerate the number of experiments they can perform each week using iPSCs, a growing research field that circumvents the ethical concerns associated with embryonic stem cells because iPSCs are derived from adult tissues such as skin fibroblasts.

CytoTune™-iPS Reprogramming Kit is part of Life Technologies' broader set of products, including KnockOut™ Serum Replacement and Gibco® B-27® Supplement, among others, used in laboratories worldwide to grow, characterize and study iPSCs.

"The launch of this product fulfills a growing demand from our customers who have voiced their need for technology that provides the combined benefits of higher reprogramming efficiency with a zero footprint iPSCs," says Christopher Armstrong, Head of Primary & Stem Cells at Life Technologies. "CytoTune™-iPS Reprogramming Kit complements our extensive portfolio of stem cell research tools."

Life Technologies will be hosting several talks and poster sessions on its stem cell technology during the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) 9th Annual Meeting, June 15—18 in Toronto, Canada. More information can be obtained at the Life Technologies booth (#626) during the show.

Links

Thermo Fisher ScientificCompany website

Tags

Cell / Tissue CultureCell culture or tissue culture is used to study the biology of cells or tissues and to isolate cellular products in an environment which can be manipulated and well defined. Accurately control your culture environment with bioreactors or culture incubators, bind your cells to a surface or together with an extracellular matrix. Distinguish cell types with differential media or proliferate cells with certain characteristics using selective media. Enrich your media with supplements such as growth factors, sera and vitamins. Find the best cell and tissue culture products, kits and equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Genome AnalysisGenomics, the study of genomes, includes functional genomics, evolutionary genomics and comparative genomics. There are many genomic technologies such as DNA sequencing of whole genomes, computational biology and bioinformatics. DNA and nucleic acids must be isolated and concentrated from cells for analysis with kits, automated analyzers and software. Other useful technologies for studying genomics include PCR, microarrays and electrophoresis.ELISAEnzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), also known as enzyme immunoassays (EIA), are used for the detection and quantification of proteins, peptides and antibodies in a sample. ELISA often comes in kit format, with pre-selected antibody pairs to detect specific proteins or biomarkers of diseases such as diabetes and obesity, or cardiovascular and neurological disorders. Detection is made possible with chemiluminescent, fluorescent or colorimetric substrates and detection instruments such as microplate / ELISA readers. Other kits available include: Enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assays for the quantification of protein-producing cells and chemiluminescent immunoassays (CLIA) kits. Find the best ELISA kits and products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.ProteomicsProteomics is the systemic bioinformatics study of proteins and amino acids, including their structure, size, function and identification. Tools used in proteomics include chromatography, blotting and gels, protein arrays, mass spectrometry and ELISA and associated analysis software. Analyzers and proteomic systems should be sensitive, high resolution, fast and may be automated for high-throughput.Cell Lines Stem Cells and Primary CellsPrimary cell cultures, established cell lines and stem cells are vital for <i>in vitro</i> and <i>ex vivo</i> experimentation. High-quality cells, optimized for your applications, alongside optimized cell substrates, growth medium and supplements, are critical for experimental success. Explore a range of cells suitable for your applications, including isogenic cell lines, competent cells, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cell lines, fungal/bacterial/mammalian cell lines, stem cells and cancer cell lines. Find the best cells for your research in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Cell-Based AssaysCell-based assays are used to monitor the presence, quantity and activities of a desired cellular analyte including drug molecules or biomarkers. This can reveal information on cell health (apoptosis, cytotoxicity, viability and proliferation assays), cell metabolism, cell migration and cell signaling mechanisms. Find the best cell-based assay products, kits and equipment with our peer reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receiving pricing direct from manufacturers.Protein PurificationProtein purification is a vital step in drug discovery, therapeutics, biotech and life science research. The purification process typically involves subcellular or membrane protein extraction with cell lysis kits, separation of proteins from cell debris by filtration or spin columns, and the isolation of proteins of interest from other proteins and impurities with affinity purification (including fusion protein tags and antibody binding proteins A, G and L), immunoprecipitation or chromatographic methods, such as ion exchange, size exclusion and immobilized metal affinity chromatography. All purification methods come in multiple formats for your laboratory needs, including agarose or magnetic beads, resins, columns and filter plates. Find the best protein purification equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Gene Expression and Molecular CloningMolecular cloning is a set of techniques that utilizes vectors to transfer recombinant DNA into host cells and is an essential tool for investigating the expression of genes and proteins in bacterial or mammalian cells. A variety of vectors optimized for gene cloning and expression in a range of host organisms are available, alongside competent cells for genetic replication. Here, you can explore a range of molecular tools, high-quality genomic and cDNA libraries, premade clones, transformation and transfection reagents and mutagenesis or gene expression detection assays and expression arrays. Find the best gene expression and molecular cloning products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.BiomarkersBiomarkers are biological markers which can be measured and evaluated to indicate a biological state. The use of biomarkers in research and diagnosis can indicate a normal or disease state or drug response of cells / tissues. Biomarkers include genetic markers, cell surface markers such as antigens, antibodies or receptors and secreted molecules such as cytokines. An assay system is required for identification of biomarkers. :

Related articles